Osaka and Octos

Mikewise

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Nov 27, 2006
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Unfortunately I have been octopusless for the last 8 months, but I have recently moved to Japan to teach English, where octopuses definitely have a big impact on the culture. Japanese people think i'm crazy for having had a pet tako, as it is exclusively thought of as a food source here. It's like having a pet hamburger. They are by and large unaware of the Octopus intelligence media attention as of late in the west.

I recently took a trip to Osaka, the birthplace of takoyaki (たこ焼き), a popular japanese snack consisting of octopus (tako) meat fried (yaki) in doughy balls. Poor octopuses!

Takoyaki stalls, and octopus imagery in general are plastered all over Osaka. Here are a few of my pictures (not for the weak of heart):

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Good to hear from you Mike, I have been remiss in checking on your blog.

Think outside the box a little and I suspect you can make a good case for Octopus in Japan being much like Chicken here. The GAP sweat shirt is almost humerous though.
 

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and some people keep these as pets (I am not talking about the Easter chicks but do know adults who named and considered them pets)
 

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Years ago in Nice I ordered a nicoise pizza, expecting the usual olives, etc, but when it came it had lots of tiny whole octopuses. Since it was there, they were dead, and I was hungry I ate it, but I have to tell you, it was like eating little rubber balls with legs. Never again.
 
Mike,

Totally off topic, but I am looking for something that is supposedly only in Japan. Perhaps you could help. I am looking for what's called a plug n' play game. It looks like a joystick that one uses RCA jacks and plugs directly into a TV and is about the quality of an old Atari. Supposedly, there was an Indiana Jones version that was only released in Japan (looks like a snake). Been looking for one for years. If you can find it, maybe we can make a trade or you can just tell me what you'd like for it.

~Will
 

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